Winter Wonderland

This photo was taken a few years ago, but I think we all get the hint.

Winter has officially arrived. Even if the calendar doesn't agree.

Barbless?????

Are those talons barbless? For all other fisher-persons, check the regulations before you begin stalking the trout. 

Barns Rotation

If you plan to fly fish the Madison River just inside the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, there are rules to abide by. The locals have established a mechanism to share a popular fly fishing area. Here's how it went a few years ago.

When we arrived (with our guide) at Barns, we were quickly instructed on the rules.

1. Get in line.
2. When it's your turn, step into the river upriver of the other fly fishers when the upriver person get's to a certain point of the river.
3. In between every cast, take one step down river.
4. When your are the last person in the line down river, you will step out of the river when you reach a designated stop.
5. Then get back in line and wait your turn.


I still don't know how I feel about this "local system".  But if you get into fish like this, then it may be worth it.

It's Gonna Cost Ya!

Madison River Grayling

Caught this Grayling at the Madison Junction hole below the campground. In addition to the Grayling, we caught Rainbows, Browns, and Mountain Whitefish. This was the hot location, where the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers merge in Yellowstone National Park.

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

Guide Profile

We had the opportunity to fish the Yellowstone area with fly fishing guide Brian Berry. We booked our trip through Bud Lilly's Trout Shop. Our day was spent learning the Madison River in the park. We fished the Barnes area and a few spots near the Madison Junction campground. Thanks Brian, we had a great time. Here's a pic of Brian with a beautiful Brown he landed while fishing a streamer late in the day.

Before... and After

The confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers, creating the Madison River at Madison Junction campground in Yellowstone National Park. The photos are a difference of one day, AMAZING!

Monster : The Breakfast of Champions

The coffee was not strong enough to get this day started.

Much Too Close

Madison River, WY YNP Profile

The Madison River is rich with American history. It was named by Lewis and Clark in 1805, for the Secretary of State, and soon to be President, James Madison. The Madison River needs to be on every fly fishers short list of rivers to fish in their lifetime.

The Madison begins it's quest to the Mississippi in Yellowstone National Park where the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers merge. It flows west out of the park and on it's 183 mile trek through Wyoming and Montana, eventually flowing into the Missouri River.

The setting for the Madison, inside Yellowstone National Park, is best described as sensory overload. There are few places in the world a fly fisher can catch beautiful, healthy Rainbows and Browns, with large herds of elk and bison grazing nearby. This river is at the top of our favorite places to fly fish.

Yellowstone Day 6 of 6

Check out our Yellowstone fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Yellowstone Day 5 of 6

Check out our Yellowstone fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Yellowstone Day 4 of 6

Check out our Yellowstone fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Yellowstone Day 1 of 6

Check out our Yellowstone fly fishing series from VFG-TV. Visit our Virtual Fly Guides YouTube Channel to see all our videos.

Madison River, WY YNP Fly Fishing Report

Darin Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

Madison River, WY (Yellowstone National Park)

October 2005

Rainbow Trout

Flies Used: Red Atomic Worm #8 and Beaded Prince Nymph #12

Other Details: Fished a number off spots along the West Entrance Road. The most productive method was indicator nymphing along with the occasional switch to streamers.

Madison River, WY Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

Madison River, Yellowstone National Park, WY

October 2005

Caught 11 Rainbows up to 21"

Flies Used: Beaded Prince Nymph #10 and #12; Red Atomic Worm #8.

Other Details: Places to fish the Madison in Yellowstone Nat'l Park should include the Madison Junction campground area, a spot called Barnes #1 and #2 (just inside the west entrance) and turnouts along the West Entrance road.

Madison River Rainbow Video